Coming to iOS 6: iCloud.com Email Addresses

Aside from the various new features that were revealed after Apple rolled out its iOS 6 beta 3, the company unveiled that new and existing iCloud users will have the new iCloud.com email addresses. This will be based on the users’ AppleID account names, and it will be effective once the upcoming mobile operating system is released later this year. As stated on update log:

iCloud.com email addresses are now available for iCloud mail users. Users signing up for new Apple IDs, enabling Mail on their iCloud account for the first time, will automatically receive an @iCloud.com email address instead of a me.com email address. iCloud users with @me.com addresses that have been used with iOS 6 beta 3 will receive an @iCloud.com email address that matches their @me.com address.

Since 2008, the migration to iCloud has been the second transition that Apple product users have made. The first one was the switch from .Mac to the soon-to-be defunct .me MobileMe service suite.

From MobileMe to iCloud

Apple stopped all MobileMe services last June 30, as it moves to a more integrated iCloud service. This feature enables easy synchronization of data and files across multiple iOS devices.

Although the transition is yet to be publicized, developers were informed about the upcoming changes for the iOS 6 beta 3. Other than the addition of iCloud.com email addresses, there were also expanded settings tweaks for Apple’s upcoming Maps application, which will also debut together with the mobile OS.

New Maps App Settings for iOS 6

After Apple seeded the iOS 6 beta 3 to developers yesterday, it was discovered that the company expanded its settings for the Maps application.

The latest mobile OS build indicates a new option in the settings application of the company’s new Maps app. Developers are now allowed to customize certain aspects of the application like the volume of turn-by-turn navigation and whether the app should measure the distance in miles or kilometers.

Apple’s iOS 6 beta 3 is compatible with the new iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and fourth-generation iPod Touch. Developers can now download the latest build from their device’s software update, while the full downloads are also available from the company’s developer portal. The company’s final mobile OS build is expected to be released this fall.

Meanwhile, it is unclear whether Apple will keep the existing .me accounts once the iCloud.com is released. On the other hand, the company will continue their support for legacy .Mac users.